A senior executive at Goldman Sachs is preparing to leave the prestigious investment bank following reports that he had authored a series of opinion essays critical of former U.S. President Donald Trump as well as Spain’s current prime minister—articles allegedly written without the company’s prior knowledge or approval. According to an internal company memorandum reviewed by Business Insider, the individual in question, Álvaro del Castaño, will depart from Goldman in the near future, with the communication specifying that his exit is expected to occur “in the coming months.”
Del Castaño has spent more than three decades at Goldman Sachs, having originally joined the firm in 1993. Over the years, he climbed steadily through the corporate hierarchy, attaining the title of managing director in 2002 before most recently being appointed the firm’s co-head for Spain and Portugal earlier this year. His professional trajectory placed him among the most senior banking figures in the Iberian Peninsula, where he also oversaw Goldman’s private wealth management operations—a role emphasizing relationships with high-net-worth clients and strategic growth across the region.
Bloomberg reported that del Castaño had contributed essays to *The Objective*, a Spanish-language media outlet, in which his tone was unmistakably critical of notable political figures. The articles, as described in Bloomberg’s coverage, included firm denunciations of both American and Spanish leadership. In one particularly striking piece, del Castaño purportedly described former President Trump as a leader characterized by discourteous behavior, overt self-interest, a troubling disregard for ethical norms, and what he viewed as a morally ambiguous personal disposition. These strongly worded observations drew attention precisely because they were penned by a prominent figure within one of the world’s largest financial institutions—a firm that typically exercises careful control over executives’ public communications.
When *The Objective* sought comment from Goldman Sachs concerning the authorship and content of the essays, the bank responded by asserting that it had been unaware of del Castaño’s publications. Following these inquiries, the news outlet subsequently removed the opinion pieces from its website, suggesting that the situation may have contravened the internal expectations of discretion and neutrality generally observed by senior corporate leaders at global financial enterprises.
In a statement provided to Business Insider, a Goldman Sachs spokesperson emphasized that del Castaño’s decision to leave was characterized as a retirement rather than an abrupt dismissal, underscoring the executive’s long record of exemplary service. “Álvaro has enjoyed an exceptional career of over thirty years with the firm and has opted to retire from Goldman Sachs,” the spokesperson affirmed, conveying appreciation for his numerous contributions. The statement added that the organization anticipated maintaining professional ties with del Castaño to continue collaborating on initiatives that would benefit the firm’s clients and partners.
The internal memo announcing his forthcoming retirement expressed gratitude for his work and commitment across multiple areas of the business. Co-authored by senior Goldman executives Chris French and Rob Mullane, the message praised del Castaño for his leadership in advancing key strategic objectives, his effectiveness in strengthening vital client relationships, and his mentorship of colleagues throughout the firm. According to the memo, he had consistently demonstrated both commercial acumen and interpersonal skill, serving as a trusted counselor and a model of professionalism to junior team members and peers alike.
Although del Castaño did not immediately provide a public comment or response when contacted by journalists on Wednesday afternoon, his departure marks the conclusion of a notable career that spanned crucial transformations within Goldman Sachs and the global financial industry at large. The circumstances surrounding his exit also illuminate the increasingly sensitive intersection between personal expression and corporate responsibility in an era where digital footprints and public commentary by high-ranking officials can carry profound institutional implications.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/goldman-executive-alvaro-del-castano-depart-criticisms-donald-trump-2025-10
